Grand Ridge mill rate at zero

Grand Ridge is one step closer to finalizing its budget for next year after Thursday’s public budget work session.

Grand Ridge is planning an operating budget of around $1.8 million, which includes the town’s wastewater department. The good news for residents — the town will continue not to charge any property tax, keeping its millage rate at zero.

The town’s budget is funded through grants, fees, state funds and other taxes, such as a local option gas tax. The town also receives revenue from various town-owned certificates of deposits. The town estimates its revenue will double from last year thanks, to a $400,000 recreation grant.

Thursday, the council met to discuss the budget and to listen to public comments. On the whole, the council approved of the proposed expenditures, which include about $100,000 for paving streets and about $200,000 in salaries for all town employees. One of the main differences is a more than $10,000 increase in utility costs.

“The biggest change in our budget is utility costs,” town manager J.R. Moneyham said.

There were some items and numbers that some council members objected to.

One item was a uniform allowance for employees. Many town employees, even those who wear business casual attire and not a specific uniform, receive $700 per year for clothing expenses, including purchasing appropriate attire and dry cleaning costs.

“I can’t justify that. I don’t feel it is fair,” Mayor Chris Wright said. “Money is tight. That is why we are cutting this, cutting that.”

Wright also argued that the town could not prevent employees from wearing clothes purchased or cleaned with the funds during their off hours. Some council members agreed, and suggested requiring employees to wear polo shirts with the town logo. Other members argued the council should not take away a benefit employees have had for years.

“They have been doing that for years. If you give someone a benefit and then snatch it away, it is wrong,“council member Thomas Peaden said.

Other members agreed, especially when the town manager explained the town includes it in new employees’ benefit packages. Council members agreed to phase out the allowance, meaning that current employees will retain it, but it will not be offered to any future employees.

“If it was a new item, I probably would not vote for it,” council member Kimberly Applewhite said. “I think it should be phased out. I have a problem taking it back.”

The council also agreed that staff members should wear a town polo shirt, which the staff member would be required to purchase, at least one day a week.

The council also disagreed on how much of a raise staff should receive next year. In the proposed budget, employees would receive a 4 percent increase in salary. Wright believed that was too high.

“I am not saying we don’t have good workers, but the average raise is 3 percent,” Wright said. “There are a lot places that didn’t get 3 percent this year, or last year.”

Peaden argued the employees had earned the increase. But other council members and some residents argued that in the current economy, any raise was a reward.

The council directed Moneyham to rework the budget with a 3 percent increase for employee salaries.

The last point of contention was the volunteer fire department’s budget. Ashley Gilley, the town’s volunteer fire chief, asked the council why the department’s budget went down, while the services it is expected to provide increased. The council reminded him the budget is a guideline and can be adjusted throughout the year.

“Nothing in this budget is sketched in stone,” Wright said.

Council members said they have approved numerous requests by the fire department that were not budgeted for, including approving — that night — to pay for rooms so that department members go travel to Niceville for classes.

“Even though we haven’t budget for it, if it is necessary we will approve it,” Applewhite said.

Thursday’s hearing was the second public hearing. The next step will be for the council to adopt the budget, which it will do at its next meeting.